Mystic Grove Academy

7- Samurai Exhibition: Mara's Deadly Past

2 Days Later (Saturday, October 27th):

Mystic Grove Outdoor Arena (1:45 p.m.) - Darren P.O.V.

I'm barely on my feet not believing what I'm seeing: Mara, possessed by a fire-demon, holding a blood-covered heart. "Mara," I shout to her trying to get her attention. She turns to me and I'm brought to a scared silence and I don't get scared. Her stare is cold as ice and her eyes are blank of any emotion. She's been consumed by pure rage for our opponents. "It's over; you need to calm down!" I sheath my sword running to her. She turns back to the heart in her hands, burns it to a pile of ash before letting out a loud scream.

I shake my head making a hand sign I haven't used in a long time. "I have no other choice," I call forth a power I've only used once in my life. She has to be stopped. "Fire Elemental: Phoenix Art," I call out surprising even her, "Purity Flame!" this white flame shoots forth hitting her suppressing the fire spirit inside her causing her to collapse.

I get to her seeing her Element symbol is still in tact but no clue what happened. "Medic!" I call for the medical team who are on us before I drop to the ground in shear exhaustion.

"Darren!" I hear my friends just as sleep overtakes me because I'm so tired. I have no idea how this short exhibition ended up like this when the day started so well . . .

5 Hours Earlier (8:30 a.m.):

Dragon Wing Dorm (Elemental Storm's Suite) - Mara P.O.V.

It's the day of the exhibition and my body still aches from the Lady Ninja Challenge on Thursday. Nevertheless, I'm dressed in my team's outfit stoked to be paired with Darren for the second time this term; we work very well together. I walk out of my room to the living room where everyone is gathered around the television seeing the news we all saw last night of more Elementals being murdered at the hands of this Nexus group Darren told us about earlier this week. It's a sign that war is fast approaching but we've heard nothing from the Leaders since the week started. "Morning," I wave to everyone making sure my sleeves cover my left wrist.

"Hey," Darren smiles back, "ready to kick some tail in this exhibition?"

"I still feel like shit but I'm ready." Right then, both of our devices go off. I open mine seeing a message from Sensei Johansson saying he wants to see the two of us. "We better go."

"Yep," Darren grabs his sword and I grab mine. "We'll see you all after the match."

"Good luck, guys," Alex and Marcus wave to us as we enter the elevator.

Leaving the dorm, I get this weird feeling walking past the arena where we'll be competing today. "Darren," I get his attention, "I have a strange feeling that we're heading for a trap today."

Darren glances at me with a slight smile. "I feel the same way. I have a feeling this won't be a simple exhibition between us and whoever we're facing. Something's coming and I don't think this will be an easy day."

"Let's just get through it so you can get ready for Tuesday's tournament."

"That I'm looking forward to."

We walk into the building making our way to our Sensei's classroom and once we enter, we see him talking to this other man with two samurai right behind him. "Hey, Darren and Mara," Sensei waves us over to him. "I want you two to meet your opponents headed by Sensei Yamada." He points to the two samurai behind him.

"This is Michell Calvin," he introduces the black guy with the braided hair, "and this is Maxine Tero," he introduces us to the blond girl.

We shake their hands but when Mitchell shakes hands, it's weird. "Monster!" he whispers in my ear causing me to step back. "You will pay for what you did to my brother!" His brother? This is the first time I've met this guy.